From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gonzalo López de Haro (bef. 1788 – 1823) was a
Spanish explorer, notable for
his expeditions in the Pacific Northwest in the late 18th
century.
In 1788 two ships were sent north to investigate Russian
activity in Alaska. First Pilot Esteban
José Martínez was the expedition commander and captained the
frigate Princesa. Haro, also a Pilot,
was given command of the packet ship San Carlos. Second
Pilot José María Narváez sailed with Haro.
The ships arrived at Prince William Sound in May. Haro
sailed the San Carlos west to Kodiak Island and on June 30 found the
Russian post at Three Saints Bay. The Russian
commander, Evstrat Delarov, provided a map of the Alaskan coast and
indicated the locations of seven Russian posts containing nearly
500 men. Delarov also told Narváez that the Russians intended to
occupy the port of Nootka Sound, on the west coast of Vancouver
Island. Narváez returned to the San Carlos and Haro
returned east, rejoining Martínez at Sitkinak Island. Haro and Martínez then
sailed southwest to investigate Unalaska Island, where there was a
large Russian post under the command of Potap Kuzmich Zaikov.
Martínez arrived on July 29, Haro on August 4.[1]
In 1790 and 1791 he was a primer piloto (first pilot)
in the expedition commanded by Francisco de Eliza. Haro is
reputably the first European to discover the San Juan
Islands.[2]
In 1821, after the Mexican War of
Independence, Haro was jailed in Puebla, Mexico. He died in Puebla in 1823.[3]
Haro Strait and
Lopez Island are
both named after him.
See also
References
- ^ McDowell, Jim (1998). José Narváez: The
Forgotten Explorer. Spokane, Washington: The Arthur H. Clark
Company. pp. 24–31. ISBN
0-87062-265-X.
- ^
Phillips, James W. (1971).
Washington State Place Names. University of Washington
Press. ISBN
0-295-95158-3.
- ^
Biografia de Gonzalo López de
Haro, Biografías y Vidas